SND internship: Visual development and two-photon imaging in mice

Have you ever wondered how young mammals can already see the world around them from the moment they open their eyes? Or whether neurons in the visual cortex can respond to stimuli even before eye opening? To address these questions, we use mice as an animal model because they are born with their eyelids closed during the first two weeks of life. This allows us to measure visual responses in mice before and after eye opening by presenting visual stimuli and recording neuronal responses in the visual cortex with in vivo two-photon calcium imaging. In addition, we can complement the functional in vivo data with morphological data by studying specific cell types and axonal projections using two-photon tomography for whole-brain anatomy at cellular resolution.

This project is part of the Synapse and Network Development group, led by Prof. Christian Lohmann, which investigates the mechanisms for wiring the brain prior to external sensory experience.

Specific objectives and tasks

The candidate will assist with:

• Programming visual stimuli in Python to be displayed to mice on a monitor during in vivo two-photon imaging using PsychoPy.
• Analyzing in vivo calcium imaging data using custom Python scripts and libraries such as Suite2P and CaImAn.
• Reviewing the literature on the development of the visual cortex to contextualize the results.
• Optionally, analyzing data obtained with two-photon tomography using BrainGlobe, ImageJ, and custom Python scripts.

This project is for you if you want to improve your Python skills with real neuroscience datasets, gain hands-on experience with computational approaches widely used in the field, and contribute to an ongoing systems neuroscience project supervised by two postdoctoral researchers. You will also have the opportunity to develop your presentation skills during lab meetings.

Requirements

• Basic experience with Python and a background in neuroscience are required. MSc students or final-year BSc students are preferred.
• Fluent in English.

Appointment

The position is flexible, with a minimum commitment of 2 months at 3 days per week. The internship can be arranged as part of a BSc or MSc thesis or done independently. The starting date is also flexible, but no later than the end of October. Please note that no financial support is available for this internship.

Application

Please email your application to d.cabrera@nin.knaw.nl with the subject line “SND internship – [Your name]”, including:

• A short cover letter explaining your interest in the project and relevant experience.
• An up-to-date CV.
• A recommendation letter, if available.

Evaluation will continue until the position is filled. Feel free to reach out with any questions or to arrange a visit.